Kevin Cuneo: Turnout key on Tuesday

Many spring primaries in Erie tend to be rather sleepy events, with low voter turnout. But with a lively race for county executive, a judgeship at stake and various City Council and school board seats up for grabs, turnout will be crucial on Tuesday. The candidates who can most effectively motivate voters to go to the polls will stand the best chance of winning. It should be interesting. ... A note in the latest S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie newsletter said that Lake Erie anglers who for years have used the three Hammermill smoke stacks as a navigation aid -- "I'm fishing in 50 feet of water off the Hammermill stacks" -- are concerned about the pending demolition of the stacks. "The three smoke stacks will go the way of other forgotten Erie landmarks," the story's author writes. ... Speaking of fishing, May 27 will be a fish-for-free day for everyone who doesn't have a current license. The other fish-for-free day is July 4. ... Marc Blucas, the Girard native and former Yellow Jackets basketball star, is a busy actor these days, with a starring role in the TV show "Necessary Roughness" on USA. Yet he always seems to make an effort to touch base with his hometown when asked. Blucas will speak at the annual Erie Times-News Varsity Cup Banquet on June 4. I'll bet he's an interesting speaker. ... Paul Bizzarro, who died Wednesday at 72, was a promising boxer in his youth. His late brother, Johnny Bizzarro, once told me Paul could have been a champion, had he chosen to go that route. Another brother, Lou Bizzarro, compiled an excellent record in the ring, as did many of the sons and grandsons in the family.

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The Rev. Michael Kesicki said he and his family are proud of his younger brother, the Rev. Timothy Kesicki, on Tim's appointment by Pope Francis to become president of the 2,500 Jesuit brothers and priests in the U.S. The pope is a Jesuit, so he obviously takes a big interest in the order's leadership in this country. The Kesicki brothers are Erie natives. ... Relish's Jennifer and Terri Reed are excited about the big Great Lakes Beach Glass Festival, set for Saturday and Sunday at the Bayfront Convention Center. The event is expected to draw thousands of people from several states and Canada. ... North East's Martha Dalrymple, 97, is proud of her great-granddaughter Madelyn Rainey, who just received word that she's been awarded a full scholarship to attend Space Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. Hundreds of kids apply to the camp, and it's a big deal to be accepted, let alone win a scholarship. ... Erie's Ed Kacprowicz is mourning the death of his brother, Adam Kacprowicz, who died April 29 in Fort Wayne, Ind. Adam, who grew up in Erie, served valiantly in Word War II, and spent four months in a German POW camp. Ed is the last surviving member of the 11 Kacprowicz siblings. ... General McLane High School officials made a wise move in appointing Brian Schulz to succeed his dad, Hall of Fame coach Andy Schulz, as head basketball coach of the Lancers' boys team. I'm reminded what an outstanding coach Pat Flaherty, son of Bill Flaherty, was at Mercyhurst Prep. Pat is an excellent coach and it's surprising that a school hasn't moved to hire him. Mercyhurst was silly to let him get away. ... Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif., is one of the nicest horse racing tracks I ever visited, but it's set to close at the end of December and will be razed shortly thereafter. A development with about 3,000 upscale homes will be built on the 260-acre site near the airport.